The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Ariel froze. He could not believe what his ears were hearing, but Farrah’s words were crystal clear. But how could Ariel believe that?

M-Mama?

Trying to breathe in the sudden horror that coursed through his body, Ariel’s body suddenly shook violently. He almost thought he wouldn’t be able to hold on. He could have collapsed any moment. Because a question quickly appeared in his mind. An echo.

H-How could it be? No. It’s impossible that mom would kill Nana.

Ariel tried to deny reality. But when he had witnessed it all with his own eyes and ears, what else could he do? Except do his best to get out of there. With dragging steps, as if he had no strength left.

Clinging to the wall, Ariel felt an indescribable cold enveloping his entire body. It almost made him think he wouldn’t be able to reach his car. And when he sat behind the wheel, instead of driving away immediately, he was stunned.

Farrah’s face, radiant with a blooming smile, lingered in Ariel’s mind. No matter how hard he tried to dismiss the image, it kept turning in his mind. Bringing up various questions based on an irrational judgment of what had happened.

“How could Mom kill Grandma? Kill her own mother?”

Ariel swallowed the lump that suddenly appeared and choked his throat. Something that almost made him unable to breathe. Because he realized. If he was determined to kill Garrett because he had no connection to the man. Then Farrah?

No. Ariel shook her head repeatedly. Rejecting this reality. It’s impossible. Mama couldn’t possibly do that.

Because Daphne was clearly the woman who had given birth to Farrah. Raised Farrah. Daphne was Farrah’s biological mother. And it was impossible for Ariel to imagine that Farrah would be so heartless as to do such a thing to her own parents.

Turmoil ensued. Caught between reality and Ariel’s refusal to accept what he had learned, the man found that the day was not passing as it should. Ariel’s mind was in chaos. He couldn’t concentrate on his work. Until the meeting he had scheduled was finally canceled by himself.

Ariel was not a good man. He had done many bad things. But could he possibly do something that could take Farrah’s life? The answer was certainly no.

Regardless of what Farrah had done to him all this time, Ariel was sure that he wouldn’t have the heart to commit such a heinous act against his own mother. Nor would he use some of Farrah’s pressure over the years as an excuse to get rid of Farrah. Even if it had something to do with Ariel’s regret when she blamed Farrah for Elice’s release from his embrace.

“Elice.”

Ariel’s eyes widened immediately. Farrah’s voice seemed to echo in his head.

“I am actually surprised. What do you see in Elice? Why did you become such a fool?”

“So instead of thinking about something that’s no longer appropriate for you, it’s better to think about something else. Something that is more suitable for you.”

The horror came without Ariel being able to stop it. Beads of sweat filled his forehead, drenching him with sweat and fear that came uninvited.

“Elice.”

Ariel quickly grabbed his cell phone. He called Ruben. And when his call was answered, he immediately said, “Meet me now, Ruben. Right now!”

*

Garrett hurriedly got out of the car as the four-wheeled vehicle that had brought him home stopped right in front of the driveway. He took quick steps, nodding only briefly as the housekeeper greeted his return. He handed over his work bag and continued on his way.

It was already four in the afternoon. Quite early for someone like Garrett to get home from the office. But when Norah had contacted him earlier, he had no choice.

Elice felt a pain in her stomach. The doctor had already come and examined her. She was fine. It was just the usual cramping that sometimes happens during pregnancy. And Garrett, worried, decided to come home right away.

“You’re back?”

It wasn’t Norah or Wilda who greeted Garrett’s arrival when his feet had already touched the second floor. It was Farrah, whose presence naturally caused Garrett to furrow his brow.

“Aunt.”

Farrah smiled. She glanced briefly at Garrett’s room.

“I heard Elice was sick, and when I got here it turned out to be just cramps,” Farrah said casually. “Nothing to worry about.”

At least Farrah was right about that. Even when Norah had contacted Garrett earlier, his mother had already said that Elice was fine. But Garrett couldn’t calm down until he saw Elice’s condition with his own eyes.

“I know.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

That was all Garrett said. Then he hurried away. He tried to ignore the fact that for several days after Daphne’s death, Farrah had been coming to his house often.

It was Garrett’s house. Just as Garrett’s signature had been etched on the deed, it had become completely Garrett’s. But Garrett did not want to ignore the reason why Farrah had been seen at his house lately.

Armed with the reason to alleviate the sadness that still hung over the family, Farrah came. Showing the concern of a family member caring for other family members. However, everyone in the house clearly knew Farrah’s hidden agenda.

For when Garrett was out of sight and into the room, Farrah continued to walk. Taking small, measured steps. Her head held high; she took in every inch of the house’s grandeur.

The interior was very stylish. The paint on the walls looked very expensive. Even the ornaments that decorated the place were obviously of high quality.

Farrah smiled as she brought her hand to rest on the railing at the top. This time she looked down. Observing and realizing something.

This house is like a palace.

So, it would be a shame if the palace fell into the hands of someone unworthy, wouldn’t it? In Farrah’s eyes, there was no one more deserving than herself.

Farrah took a step back. The faint sound that reached her ears made her move toward Garrett’s room.

Farrah’s steps stopped in front of Garrett’s room. She opened the door slowly, leaving just enough of a gap. Just enough to see inside.

There was Garrett, Norah and Wilda with Elice. The woman’s face looked pale.

Pathetic.

An IV stand was at the bedside. Connected to Elice’s body by a needle in her wrist. Providing the nourishment she needed when her sudden loss of appetite became a symptom of her young pregnancy.

Garrett looked lovingly. Stroking Elice’s hand. Occasionally caressing Elice’s slender belly. And at that moment, Farrah scoffed. With a reflexive slight shake of her head.

How could you, Elice? How could you captivate two men at the same time? How could you keep Ariel interested even though you were carrying another man’s child?

Because Farrah didn’t care who Elice captivated. As long as Ariel wasn’t one of them.

You’re not worthy of Ariel. You will never be worthy.

When a smile spread across Elice’s face, Farrah clenched her jaw. She closed the door. Obviously not wanting to see the happiness radiating from Elice’s face.

“Enough, Mama. We don’t need to talk about Elice. Whatever I do, I can assure you it won’t interfere with my work.”

Ariel’s voice and expression lingered in Farrah’s mind. The glow in her son’s eyes couldn’t be ignored.

Farrah realized it. That Ariel loved Elice. She still hoped to have her. And she wouldn’t let that happen.

Because in Farrah’s eyes, Elice was an inferior woman. A woman not equal to her. A woman not worthy to stand beside her son.

So, Farrah saw nothing more appropriate than to contact someone. And Teddy’s name came up.

“We’re changing the plan. I want you to take care of someone more important.”

Maybe that was a more pleasant change. Watching a whole family fall apart when they lost a pregnant woman seemed to pique Farrah’s enthusiasm. She could imagine it.

Not only Garrett, but Norah and Wilda would surely panic. Devastated. Sad. And maybe, up there, Daphne would be sad, too. Farrah was willing to bet. They would be torn apart in indescribable pain.

And just by imagining it, Farrah felt happiness. What more when it became reality?

Forgive me Ariel. I don’t want to hurt you. But this is what is best for you.

*